Metal anode assembly

Abstract

An improved metal anode assembly formed as in integral titanium casting which is comprised of a spider-like distributor having an anodic surface secured to the bottom thereof. At least one anode post receiver is formed in the top of the distributor. The active face of the anodic surface is coated with at least one oxide of a platinum group metal. Utilizing cast titanium to form the distributor, the anode post receiver and the anodic surface of the metal anode assembly of this invention simplifies fabrication of the metal anode assembly and improves the durability and stability of the metal anode assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrolytic mercury cell for the electrolysis of flowing brine, said cell comprising (a) a mercury cathode and   (b) a metal anode assembly spaced from cathode, said metal anode assembly comprising  (1) a distributor,    (2) at least one anode support receiver positioned in the top of said distributor,    (3) means forming an anodic surface in electrical contact with and positioned below said distributor, and    (4) said anodic surface being activated by applying a coating of an oxide of at least one platinum group metal, the improvement which comprises (i) employing as said distributor a spider-like distributor having a plurality of support ribs   (ii) employing as said metal anode assembly an integral titanium casting comprised of (a) said distributor   (b) said anodic surface   (c) said anode support receiver     (iii) said anodic surface having a first set of two opposite sides longer than the remaining set of two opposite sides,       
     
     
       (iv) said anodic surface being formed of a series of spaced-apart bars parallel to said first set of opposite sides, and (v) said metal anode assembly being positioned in said mercury cell with said spaced-apart bars extending parallel to the direction of flow of said brine.   
     
     
       2. The mercury cell of claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the spaced-apart bars of the metal anode assembly is curved. 
     
     
       3. The mercury cell of claim 2 wherein said anodic surface of said metal anode assembly is coated with a mixture of ruthenium oxide and titanium oxide. 
     
     
       4. The mercury cell of claim 2 wherein each of said support ribs of said metal anode assembly have one end adjacent to and integrally cast with said anode support receiver and extending therefrom with the opposite end of said support rib being positioned at an extremity of said anodic surface, and wherein said support rib tapers downwardly from the end adjacent to said anode support receiver to said opposite end. 
     
     
       5. A method of making a metal anode assembly, said metal anode assembly including a spider-like distributor having a plurality of support ribs, at least one anode support receiver positioned in the top of said distributor, means forming an anodic surface in electrical contact with and positioned below said distributor, said anodic surface having a first set of two opposite sides longer than the remaining set of two opposite sides and being formed of a series of spaced-apart bars parallel to said first set of opposite sides, said method comprising (a) casting from titanium an integral metal anode assembly comprising said distributor, said anodic surface, and said anode support receiver,   (b) machining said anodic surface to form a smooth, uniform surface, and   (c) activating said anodic surface by applying a coating thereto of an oxide of at least one platinum group metal.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 wherein said anodic surface is coated with a mixture of ruthenium oxide and titanium oxide.